Helmet or headguard



B. E. BATES HELMET 0R HEADGUARD Filed Oct. 15. 1926 Oct. 18, 1927.

Way/'anw Patented Oct. 18, 1927.

imitan STATES `1,646,272 PATENT orti-lcs.

'BENJAMIN E.y BATES, OF CHCAGO, ILLINOIS, `ASSIGNOR TO WLSON-WESTERN SPORT- NG GOODS COMPANY, GFl CHCAGO, ILLINOS, A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE.

HELMET 0R HEADGUARD.

'Application led October 15, 1926. Serial No. 141,843.

The invention relates toy helmets or lhead guards for use by athletes andotliers, and is particularly useful in protecting the heads of football players from the blows and 1in- J pacts of opponents. I

ing` to tliegcomfort of the player.

One of the principal objects of the invention is to provide an inner crown member in the head guard which is arched to lit the IU playershead, and which has tabsy at the front, rear and sides of the players head, and which is adjustably and removably se.- cured in the head guard.v f

lt is one ofthe objects of the invention to provide an inner crown protector which may readily be arranged totit heads of various sizes and shapes, and vwhich may be Araised or lowered within the upper portion or chamber of the head guard so that the greatest con'ifort. maybe semired for the player when wearing the head guard.y

. A further object of the invention is to provide an inner crown member which serves between the auxiliary inner crown .meii'iber y and the main` crown of the head guard. This large air cushion lying between the inner crown member and the main crown is thoroughly ventilated with apertures lto the exterior atmosphere, and a constant circulation of fresh air is provided and Vfurnished to the head of the wearer of the head guard. By means of thev invention the player has the feeling of the light weight head covering, the ventilated air cushion above, and knows that above that he has the main cushion of the helmet and the outer protective covering or shell. lll/Vith this Sense of comfort, due to the light weight auxiliary inner crown meinber, the cool air cushion and the outer protective'shell, the player can lplay a good game with a feeling of safety and protection. Y

1t isanotlier Vobject ol the invention to lt is also useful in add-` provide the inner auxiliary crown member y in a separate piece of material, which, with its securing cords'or laces, may be adjust-- ablysecured in any helmet or head guard notlthcretofore provided with such an auxiliary crown member. By inserting apertion from the players head. The helmet also becomes somewhat "unsightly Aand unclean. The auxiliary inner crown member reduces this to a considerable extent, and in the event that the auxiliary crown member becomes unsightly or yobjectionable -for any,

reason, it .may be replaced by; a new, clean member.

The auxiliary crown member may be made ofany suitable material, such as canvas, rubberized fabric, or the like. It will be obvious that the auxiliary inner crown meinber may, in itself, be supplied with ventilating openings.

lt is also obvious that the inner auxiliary crown piece may be of various sizes or shapes, and may have any desired number of tabs by which it ,may be "adjustably and removably connected, at ditl'erent points or places in the outer shell of the head guard.

Y The invention has the above and other objects, all of which will be explainedv and more thoroughly understood when read in conjunction with the acconnianying drawings which illustrate an embodiment of the invention, it being obvious that changes and modifications thereof may be made without departing from the spirit of the appended lnA the drauings:

Figure 1 is a longitudinal. central section of a head guard showing tliearched auxiliary` inner crown member secured in place claims formino` a partihereof.

in the oute'rfshell ot tlie'head guard.

Figure 2 is a section on line 2-2 of Fig# ure l looking toward` the interior of the vhead guard and showing the auxiliary xiii iliary` crown member showing the looped tabs with one of the tabs extended from the main body portion of the member for better illustration.

rllhe helmet` or head guard within which the auxiliary inner crown member of the invention is located, is constructed with the relatively stiff leather outer main crown piece 10, which tits over the top of the head of the wearer. This leather crown piece, which extends approximately to the temples of the wearer, is reinforced by a longitudinal strip 11 of relatively stiff leather, which extends from the end 12 depending from the front edge of the crown piece 10, over the crown piece, and to the other end depending below therear edge of the crown piece. `A transverse or `cross strip 14C, also of relatively stiff leather, extends from one end 15 at one side of the head guard, across the crown piece `beneath the reinforcing` strip 11, to the other end 1G on the opposite side of the head guard, both ends of the reinforcing strip 'll depending below the lower edge of the crown piece 10. The helmet or head guard is provided with additional rein'forc'ng strips 17 and 18, which extend from the lower edge of the crown piece 10` upwardly and terminate beneath the longitudinal and transverse cross strips 11 and 1s. 'It will be obviousthat as many reinforcing cross strips as may be desired may be secured to the main leather crown piece of the head guard. It will also. be understood that all of these reinforcing strips may be securedv to the crown piecein any desired manner, preferably bystitching. i

The head `guard is provided with combined headbands, earand temple pieces, such as areillustrated at 19. The combined head bands, ear and temple pieces are on each side of the hea-d, andcover and protect thev back of the head to the neck, the ears, cheeks and temples of the player. The

forehead of the playerfis protected by the separate frontlet protector piece 2t).V The forehead protector piece Q0 connected to the combined head, ear and temple pieces 19 through the medium of the elastics 21, 21. Because of the construction `employing .the elastics the frontlet piece 2O is movable relatively to the combined head, ear and temple pieces, and with them snugly lit around the head of the'wearer,`and thus accommodate headsl of various sizes. The

` interiorV ofthe main crown piece 10 is fitted ceV with softcushioning material 22.. whichmay be of felt, sponge rubber, or the like. Liliewise the combined head, ear and temple pieces, and also the frontlet protector `are fitted with cushioning material 23 and 24., respectively, `which also may 'be of felt, sponge rubber, or the like. ln addition to the soft cushioning material 24 the foreheadl `means of stitching.

protector portion is provided with an inn terior relatively soft leather facing 25.

`The forehead protector piece 20 is suspended from the end portion 12 of the longitudinal reinforcingl strip 11, and they are secured to-each other, preferably'by lt will thus be seen that the frontlet piece 20, suspended from the end portion 12 of the longitudinal reinforcing strip 11, is held in position by` that means and by the elastics 21, 21, secured in the temple portions of the combined head, ear and temple pieces 19. The frontlet piece 2O is secured to the exterior of the lower portion of the depending end 12 of the longitudinal reinforcing strip 11 so that the lower edge of the crown piece 19 and the upper `edge of the frontlet piece 2O are in spaced relation. This space is shown at 2G in Figure 1. and temple protectors 19 are secured to the exterior of the depending ends 15 and 16 of the tralisversc crown reinforcing strip 14,

and the rear depending end 123 of the longi` tudinal reinforcing strip `11. The combined head, `ear and temple pieces 19 are inv spaced relation tothe main crown piece 10, this space being shown vat.9f. VThe combined head, ear and temple pieces are stitched to the depending ends of the rein-A forcing strips 11 and`1fl,fand are not only held thereby in suspended relation, but are further held by strips QS and 29,`stitched thereto, and to the main crown piece 10 at the forward or temple portions of the pieces, Y

19.. These strips 28 and 29 span the space 27, and their ends are stitched to the crown piece 10 and the pieces 19. y

The auxiliary inner crown member BO is secured in the interior of the helmet Vor head guard., and is provided with a main central portion from whichlooped ends extend and are adjustably secured to the main. outer protector shell of the head guard; "lt willbe understood that the looped ends may be secured tothe front, rear and sides of the shell, or other places in the outer portion of the shell. the inner crowninember 3() maybe a sub stantially straight piece of material, such as rubber or elastic, extendingfroui side to side and front to rear of the head guard, but it is preferably formed in an arch spanning the interior of the head guard, as illustrated more particularly in `Figure 1` of the drawings. In the drawings the auxiliary inner crown member `is shown with the loop portion 31 connected to the front of the helmet, the loop portion 32 tothe rear, and the loop portions and 34 to thesides of the head guard. The ends of the loop portions 31, 32, 33 and 34 are provided with` the loops which are made from the extended-tabs, which preferably have the form suclr'a's `is shown at 35 in Figure 3, which tabs are The combined head, ear

It will also be understood that' turned upon themselves and stitched, thus forming the loops. The inner crownV inember will be suitably finished with hemining, or otherwise, depending upon the material which is used.

Cords or laces 36, 36 may then be drawn.

the depending end 12 of the reinforcing strip 11. The remaining cords or laces 36 secured within their respective loops in the loop portions 32, 33 and 34 are extended through the eyelet openings 39 and 40. These eyeletopenings may be of any form desired but` preferably do not employ metallic eyelets, since no metal is ordinarily used in the vhead guard. Eachl of the eyelet openings 39 and L extends through the combined head, ear

and temple pieces 19, the depending endsy 13, and 16 respectively, of the-longitudinal strip 11 and the transverse strip 14, respectively, and also through the felt or sponge rubber cushion 23 ofthe combined head, ear and temple protector 19. The cords or laces 36, preferably have their ends tied within the head guard, and thereby present a more finished appearance on the outside. It will 'also be noted from the description relative to the cords or lacing, and the eyelets, that not only is the securing of the auxiliary inner crown memberA inconspiciious, sofar as the exterior of the head guard is concerned, but, because the cords are tied upon the inside, loose ends are not presented to an opposing player, which may be grasped by the opposing player todisconcertor harass the wearer of the head guard. 1t will also be noted that the eyelets 37 and 33, with the cord passing therethrough, are in the depending portion 12 of the longitudinal strip 11 coincident with the space 26, so that the froiitlet piece is not marred by the eyelets ortho lacing, and the lacing passes over and above the soft leather cushion of the frontlet piece 20. It will thus be seen that the player will not be disturbed or annoyed by a portion of the lacing being pressed against his forehead, but he will have merely the soft leather cushion against it.

It will be obvious and apparent, by reason of the employment of eyelet openings and lacing, that. the inner crown member is adjustable from all sides of the head guard, so that it may be raised or lowered within `the interior of the head guard to tit and concrown member 30 andthe cushion 'member 22 of the'head guard. Because of the ability to raise or lower the inner crown member 30 the space 411 may be increased or diminished according to the desire of the player.

In case the inner crown member 30 should become torn or soiled, the player, if he should sov desire, may replace it with anew, clean inner crownfinen'iberfby untying the cords or lacingy 36.v Since the cords or lacing 36 have their ends; within the interior of the head guard, lthe inner crown member may be readily removed vfrom the ends'of the cord without removing the cords from the apen.

tures 37, 38, 39 and 4() on the front,`i'ear and sides respectively, of the headguard.Y The new inner crown member may` as readily be secured in place by drawing the laces through the respective loops of the. new in ner crown` member, and tied securely in place, with thev air 'cushion and space 41 of the desired depth.

"It will also be observed that-when thekv `players Vhead is within the helmet, with the top of the head pressed yagainst the interior of the auxiliary crown member 30, the air space 11 lying between the Vauxiliary inner crown member and the main crown piece 10 forms an aircushion, which assists in pro'- tecting vthe player from the` impacts and blows which he receives in play.

v1t will beunderstood that the head guard may be provided` with Ventilating apertures through the crown member 10 and the innerY cushion 22 in any well known manner, and that Vthe yinner crown member 30l may also be supplied 'with Ventilating openings of any desired number or style. Such Ventilating openings have not been shown in the main crown and auxiliary inner crown member and certain portions of the head protector 19, but are shown in the ear protector' portion of the protector 19, at 42, in Figure 1. An aperture L13 is also shown in the ear protector portion of the ,protector 19 so `that the hearing ofthe player will not be interfered with. .l

The helmet is provided with the Vusual elastic chin strap 44, drawn through the openings, such as 45, in the depending ear protector portion of the head protector 19.

Having thus described the invention, what I claimand desire to secure by Letters Patcnt is:

1. In a helmet or head guard the combination of an outer crown member, a longitudinal reinforcing strip secured to said crown member, a transverse reinforcing strip also secured to said crown member, each of said reinforcing strips having portions which de-- pend beyondthelower edge of said crown member, and an inner cro-wn member, said inner crown member having a plurality of.

therein, and laces secured in said loops `and i apertures to hold said inner crown member in adjustable and removable relation to said reinforcing,- strips. i

2. In a helmet or head vguard the combination of a main crown member oi| relatively stiff leather, combined head, ear and temple protectors, also `of relatively stift leather, a `'forehead protector, longitudinal and transverse reinforcing leather strips secured to said crown member,A the ends ot which are secured to said head, ear, temple and forehead protectors, apertures through the depending ends of the reinforcing strips, apertures iii the head, ear andtemple pro` tectors coincident with the apertures in the depending ends oit the transverse reinforcing .st-rip and the rear depending,l endro'tthe longitudiiial reinforcing strip, an inner crown nieniber in `spaced relation to the `inner surface of said main crown member, said inner crown member beingprovided with a plurality ot loops and laces extending through said loops and said apertures to adjustably secure said inner crown member 'within the interior oic said head guard;

n a helmet or head `,uard the combination ot ainain crown member of relatively stift1 leather, combined head, car .and temple ilirotectors, also` of relatively stitf leather, a 'forehead protector lined witlrrel'atively soft leather, longitudinal and transverse reinforcing* leather strips secured to` said crown member, the endsot which are secured to said head, ear, temple and forehead protectors, apertures through the depending' ends of the reinforcing strips,v apertures in the head, ear and temple protectors coincident with the apertures in the depending ends ot the transverse reinforcing' strips and the rear depending, end ot the longitudinal reinforcing` strip, aninner crown` member in spaced ,relation to the inner surface ot lsaid main `crown member, said inner crown member being provided with a plurality of loops, and 'laces extending through said loops and said apertures to adpistably .and

removably secure said inner crown member said head'guard, said means being in the form of loops in the outer edgeot' said crown member,` and adapted to receive laces which may pass through apertures in said head guard. y Y i i As a new article of manufacture' an arched auxiliary crown meinberadapted to be securedin 'the interior of a. helmet or head guard, said archedfcrown member being provided with a plurality of means whereby it may be adjustably andremow ably secured within said head guard, said means being inthe form, ot loops in the outer edge of said crown member, and

vadapted. to receive 'laces which may pass throughV apertures in said head guard.

In witnesswhereof, I hereunto subscribe my naine this .6th day of October A. D. 1926.

BENJAMIN E. BATES. 

